News of Qingyun's battle with Kakuzu spread through the bounty ninjas lucky enough to escape. With Might Duy, Cat Demon, and the others also proving formidable, the bounty ninjas who had yet to ambush Qingyun's group scattered like frightened birds and beasts after hearing of his exploits, no longer daring to target him.
The journey passed without incident. Qingyun and the others escorted Utatane Koharu back to Konoha without stopping along the way. Once they arrived, Cat Demon dismissed the group and accompanied Utatane Koharu to the Hokage's Office to report on the mission, while Qingyun took the Divine Condor back to his home in the Forest of Death.
He then opened the Scroll of Seals Mito Uzumaki had given him, found the instructions for forming a Summoning Contract, and signed one with the Divine Condor.
"Wow, Qingyun, where did you get such a huge condor? It looks so majestic!"
Suddenly, Kushina's voice came from behind Qingyun as she gazed curiously at the Divine Condor.
"Coo, coo~"
Hearing Kushina's praise, the Divine Condor lifted its head toward her and cooed, as though saying, You've got a good eye, little girl.
Seeing how intelligent the Divine Condor was, Kushina grew even more excited. She pulled Zihan Uzumaki over and began playing with it.
Qingyun smiled faintly at the sight of Kushina and Zihan Uzumaki enjoying themselves. "Kushina, how is Tsunade doing?"
"She's doing all right, though she still struggles when she sees blood. Tsunade has already started practicing the Marrow-Cleansing Classic you gave her. She's much better than before, and she hasn't had that nightmare for a few days now."
Kushina answered without turning around, continuing to play with the Divine Condor.
Qingyun nodded inwardly. The Marrow-Cleansing Classic was the foremost of the Buddhist Six Divine Arts and had remarkable effects